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“But he knows the club is in a strong position right now and we have achieved our aim of delivering a home the Eagles can call their own.

“Everyone at Newcastle wishes him all of the luck in the world and we can only thank him for the incredible job he has done over so many years.

“I am sure he will make a success of his role under Nick – the Raptors have signed a winner in every sense of the word.

“As far as a replacement is concerned we will take stock and consider our options. The last time we were in this position was in 2002 so it’s not something we will rush into.”

Flournoy has spent the last two summers embedded with Nurse and the Raptors - gaining first-hand experience of one of the greatest underdog stories in US sports history.

Twelve months ago Toronto took a huge gamble on a playcaller who learnt his coaching trade in the BBL.

Head Coach of Newacstle Eagles Fabulous Flournoy talks tactics during the 2015 BBL Trophy Final

But Nurse delivered the NBA Championship in his first season and Flournoy experienced the thrill of the Playoff finals first hand after jetting to North America in May.

“When you look at the staff and the expertise they have within the Raptors’ organisation it’s just incredible,” he added.

“I enjoyed the NBA Playoffs and the summer league campaign with Toronto in Las Vegas but returned to Newcastle with no thought in my mind that I’d be offered a full-time post.

“Having said that Nick has been plugging away at me for a few years – even before he became Raptors’ head coach – asking me when I was going to take on a new challenge.

“In the end Paul and Dave [Forrester, Newcastle assistant coach] realised there might be an opportunity there for me and they encouraged me to look at it seriously.

“I’ve had opportunities in the past but until this summer it never even crossed my mind to leave Newcastle. The Eagles is always where I’ve wanted to be.

“I was just happy to do a hard day’s work for honest pay and happy to do it in the North East.”

Assistant coach Ian Macleod has taken charge of Newcastle’s new-look team for the club’s pre-season friendlies this week and the highly rated playcaller is just one of the names in the frame to succeed Flournoy.